Sanemori Monogatari: a play about the early days of the rivalry between the Genji and Heike
warrior clans. The warrior Sait˘ Bett˘ Sanemori (Ichikawa Somegor˘) has been charged by the
leaders of the dominant Heike clan with finding Aoi Gozen, the pregnant
wife of the leader of the enemy Genji clan. He is to kill her child if
it is a son who can succeed to head of the clan, but old loyalties to the
Genji lead him to protect the boy. Sanemori tells the story of how Koman,
the daughter of the old couple who is protecting Aoi Gozen, bravely fought
to protect the sacred standard of the Genji from the Heike. Koman mysteriously
comes back to life when her severed arm is rejoined to it. Featuring also Kataoka Hidetar˘ and Nakamura Kikaku as Koman and Senoo Jűr˘.

Gosho no Goroz˘: a portrait of the Yoshiwara
pleasure quarters at the height of its splendor. Rival gangs dressed
in the height of fashion exchange stately speeches before fighting
in the elaborate poetic cadences of Kawatake Mokuami, the last great playwright of Kabuki.
Goroz˘ is the handsome leader of a gang, but his lover, the top courtesan
Satsuki pretends to reject him to save his life. Tragedy strikes when Goroz˘
is driven to revenge. Starring Living National Treasure Onoe Kikugor˘ as Goroz˘, Ichikawa Sadanji as his rival in love,
Nakamura Kaishun as Goroz˘'s lover, the courtesan Satsuki and Kataoka Takatar˘ as ďshű,
a courtesan who is tragically killed. Starring also Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon in the cameo role of Kabutoya Yogor˘!

Edo no Hana Narita no Omokage:(Flowers of Edo and the Image of Naritaya)
The shows of this month are for the 50th anniversary of the Ichikawa Danjűr˘ XI's death.
Living National Treasures and other top rate actors appear on stage to celebrate the first appearance
on stage of Horikoshi Kangen, the son of Ichikawa Ebiz˘ and the great-grandson of Ichikawa Danjűr˘ XI.
The Narita on the title refers to the yago acting house name Naritaya of Ichikawa Danjűr˘'s family line to
which Ichikawa Ebiz˘ and Kangen belong. Ichikawa Danjűr˘ is the representative name of Naritaya
and the actor who names himself Danjűr˘ is expected to be a representative actor of Edo kabuki.

Sengoku Yashiki: there are few plays more popular in Kabuki than
"Chűshingura" or the Treasury of the Forty-Seven Loyal
Retainers. In the modern period, from 1934 to 1941 even as Japan was at war,
Mayama Seika (1878~1948) painstakingly reworked this play into "Genroku Chűshingura",
a vast cycle of plays in ten parts focusing on different incidents and different characters in this revenge classic adding historical details
reflecting the Genroku period.
The particular section to be presented shows the retainers after they have succeeded in avenging their
lord's death and go to await their judgment. Lord Sengoku (Nakamura Baigyoku) is an official of the shogunate, but is anxious to
discuss the philosophy and justification for the attack with its leader, Kuranosuke (Living National Treasure Kataoka Nizaemon) as they wait for the
retainers to go to the various lords to be kept in custody until the shogunate decides how they will
be punished.

Kanjinch˘: probably the most popular Kabuki play today,
it includes dance, comedy and the heart-warming pathos of a band of heroes
during their last days. Disguised as a band of traveling priests the
fugitive general Yoshitsune and his small band of retainers are stopped at a
road barrier. They escape only through the quick thinking of the head retainer,
a warrior priest named Musashib˘ Benkei, who improvises the text of an elaborate imperial
decree. Having escaped danger Benkei and the others describe their days of
glory and hardships on the road to escape in a moving dance.
This program stars Matsumoto K˘shir˘ in the role of Benkei,
with Onoe Sh˘roku and Ichikawa Somegor˘ as Yoshitsune and the barrier keeper Togashi.

K˘chiyama: the tea priest K˘chiyama (Ichikawa Ebiz˘) is a skilled thief and
extortionist, but cannot turn down a request to help those in need.
He disguises himself as a high-ranking priest to try to gain the freedom of a
girl held by a powerful samurai lord (Nakamura Baigyoku) because she will not become his mistress.
Using the famous poetic cadences of the late 19th century playwright Mokuami,
K˘chiyama not only succeeds in his mission to rescue the girl, but he manages to
extort a fair amount for himself. Featuring also Nakamura Baigyoku, Kataoka Ichiz˘ and Ichikawa Kudanji.

Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi: this work is mainly themed on the war chronicle "Taiheiki",
dealing with a civil war in the Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It is a gidayű ky˘gen
work of five acts, dramatizing the incidents such as the violent death of Nitta Yoshisadaĺs son Yoshioki at
Yaguchi no Watashi in Musashi-no-Kuni (Musashi Province). Writerĺs name Fukuuchi Kigai is a pseudonym of
Hiraga Gennai (1728~1779), who played an important role in various fields such as science and art.
Colorful drama unfolds with surprising developments. In recent years, the fourth act "Tonbŕ Sumika" has been performed
independently, featuring the brutality of Yaguchi no Watashimori (ferryman at Yaguchi) Tonbŕ (Nakamura Karoku),
who is a conspirator of the murder case of Yoshioki and also intends to kill Yoshiokiĺs brother Yoshimine,
as well as the courageousness of Tonbŕ's daughter Ofune (Nakamura Shibajaku). Until the Meiji Period,
however, the scenes centering on Yura Hy˘gonosuke (Living National Treasure Nakamura Kichiemon), chief retainer of Nitta family, had enjoyed popularity.
In the climactic third act "Yura Hy˘gonosuke Yakata", Hy˘gonosuke, who surrendered to Ashikaga Takauji,
takes the utmost pains unknown to others in order to maintain the Nitta family, enduring sacrifice and suffering.
The scene has revived as "Yura Hy˘gonosuke Shin-yashiki" for the first time in 100 years since 1915.
By adding "Yakimochizaka" and "D˘nen Anjitsu", which also havenĺt been performed more than a century,
we will present the work as a t˘shi ky˘gen (full-length play)
of four acts including "Tonbŕ Sumika".
After the fall of the Nitta family, Yoshiokiĺs wife Tsukuba Gozen (Nakamura Shibajaku), Hy˘gonosuke wife Minato (Nakamura T˘z˘), Yoshiokiĺs son
Tokujumaru, and his guardian and chief retainer Minase no Rokur˘ (Nakamura Matagor˘) finally reach Hy˘gonosukeĺs residence,
surviving dangers at T˘kaid˘ Yakimochizaka. However, Hy˘gonosuke kills Rokur˘ and then decapitates Tokujumaru,
offering his head to the Ashikaga side. While Tsukuba Gozen and Minato become frantic, Hy˘gonosuke makes
the two meet someone -a shocking secret scheme comes out. Meanwhile, Yoshimine (Nakamura Kash˘), along with his lover Utena (Nakamura Yonekichi),
was provided refuge by D˘nen (Arashi Kitsusabur˘), Namamugi-mura temple keeper and Yoshiokiĺs hatamochi (flag bearer),
and was given a flag that Yoshioki left when he died. Later, in the face of investigation, the two visit
Tonbŕĺs house, asking for a boat. However, the blazon of the flag happens to reveal Yoshimineĺs identity:
a defeated Nitta warrior. Tonbŕĺs daughter Ofune lets Yoshimine go, ended up getting killed by Tonbŕ
in place of him. Tonbŕ further chases Yoshimine by boat. At the time he comes close to the center of the river
where he killed Yoshioki before a terrible incident happens. Today after 100 years since its presentation by
Nakamura Kichiemon I, the present Kichiemon
will play the role of Yura Hy˘gonosuke, breathing life into "Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi".
Please expect the excellent stage of gidayű ky˘gen which adds color
to autumn where the foliage is as beautiful as brocade.

Shinrei Yaguchi no Watashi: this play was written by Hiraga Gennai, an Edo inventor,
explorer and writer of comic fiction. Young Ofune is the obedient daughter of her evil father Tonbŕ,
the keeper of a river crossing. She meets and falls in love with a young fugitive. Unfortunately, her father wants to capture
the fugitive for a reward and Ofune can only save his life by sacrificing her own.
Starring Nakamura Yonekichi and Nakamura Kichinosuke in the roles of Ofune and Tonbŕ.

The Heisei Nakamuraza is in ďsaka for the third time. This time, it is a 33-day project,
with two different programs. The temporary koshibai look-alike theater
is built in the precincts of the ďsaka Castle, in the heart of the Nishi no Maru Park.
These performances celebrate the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the Siege of ďsaka,
which started in Fall/Winter 2014 (the "Winter Siege" (Fuyu no Jin in Japanese) from November 1614 to January 1615) and ended in Summer 2015 (the summer siege (Natsu no Jin in Japanese) in May and June 1615).
The output of this bloody war was the complete destruction of both the ďsaka Castle
and the line of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Onna Shibaraku: more ceremony than play, "Shibaraku"
is one of the oldest pieces in Kabuki. Just as an evil villain is about to execute
a group of loyal retainers, a voice calls out for him to wait and a hero
appears to save the day. This version is a parody, though, as the hero
is played by an onnagata
female role specialist, who mixes the super-human strength of an
aragoto
hero with the soft gentleness of a Kabuki heroine. Featuring Nakamura Shichinosuke as
the heroine and Nakamura Hashinosuke as the larger-than-life villain,
with Nakamura Kankur˘ as a friendly stage attendant who makes sure that
everything goes right. Featuring also Nakamura Senjaku, Band˘ Yajűr˘ and Kataoka Kamez˘.

Korikori Banashi:
(Bewitching Foxes and Badgers)
In Japan, foxes and tanuki badgers are said to have the power to take the shape of humans,
and in that form, they play mischievously, sometimes causing great harm.
In this play by the contemporary playwrite H˘j˘ Hideji (1902~1996), foxes and badgers do not appear,
but the scheming of human beings is no less crafty than that of those magical creatures.
The play features Nakamura Hashinosuke, Nakamura Senjaku, Nakamura Kankur˘, Nakamura Shichinosuke and Kataoka Kamez˘.

Shunkan: the priest Shunkan (Nakamura Hashinosuke) has been exiled to Devil's Island for
plotting against the dictator Kiyomori. A pardon is given to his fellow conspirators, but
Shunkan is only saved by an additional pardon given by Kiyomori's compassionate son. Even so,
he gives up his place on the boat to freedom so his companion's new wife can accompany
her husband back to the capital. The boat leaves and Shunkan is left watching is disappear
in the distance, knowing he will be left on the island forever.
Featuring Kataoka Kamez˘ as the evil emissary Senoo and Nakamura Senjaku as
the merciful envoy Tanzaemon. With Shingo/Nakamura Tsurumatsu as the island girl Chidori (Band˘ Shingo from October to the 10th of November; Nakamura Tsurumatsu from the 11th to the 20th of November) and Nakamura Kunio as Naritsune,
Shunkan's fellow exile who has fallen in love with her.

K˘j˘: the close relationship between the actors and the audience
is shown by stage announcements, usually lavish ceremonies to commemorate various
important events. This month at the Eirakukan, it is a stage speech done by the main actors.

Yoshiwara Suzume: in this dance, a husband and wife come to the
Yoshiwara pleasure quarters to sell caged sparrows for
a ceremony to gain Buddhist merit by releasing living things. Caged sparrows were
also images for the courtesans of the pleasure quarters,
and the two dance a romantic meeting between a courtesan and her lover,
showing the lively and erotic atmosphere of the pleasure quarters.
Starring Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Baishi and Band˘ Kamesabur˘.

Sakanaya S˘gor˘: S˘gor˘ (Onoe Kikunosuke), a fish seller, has taken a vow
to not drink, but when he learns about his sister's unjust murder at the hands
of a daimy˘ lord, a death that
they were told was execution for her wrongdoing,
he starts to drink again. Drunk, he storms into the lord's mansion to seek an
apology. This play by Meiji playwright Kawatake Mokuami is known for its
realistic portrayal of members of the common class during the Edo period
and highlights their fierce pride and frustration at the privileges of the
dominant samurai class.
Featuring also Ichikawa Danz˘, Band˘ Kamesabur˘,
Onoe Matsuya, Nakamura Baishi, Nakamura Mantar˘ and Onoe Ukon.

K˘j˘: the close relationship between the actors and the audience
is shown by stage announcements, usually lavish ceremonies to commemorate various
important events. This month at the Yachiyoza, it is a stage speech done by Living National Treasure Band˘ Tamasabur˘.

Keisei: a beautiful top-rank courtesan (keisei) with her
attendants makes parade along the Nakanoch˘ Boulevard of the Yoshiwara pleasure quarter in Edo.
She enters a room in the brothel and expresses her pure love for her lover in a graceful manner, though
complaining that he does not come how long she waits for him. Then she expresses in dance the scenic beauty
in each season and the elegant atmosphere in the pleasure quarters, and her love for him grows stronger.
A scene from a seven-transformation hengemono "Nijirigaki Nanatsu Iroha", this is an old-fashioned, tasteful dance.
Enjoy the cultured elegance of the top-rank courtesan in the pleasure quarters acted by Living National Treasure Band˘ Tamasabur˘ with his new direction in the performance at Nissay Theatre in October 2011.

Fuji Musume: the spirit of wisteria blossoms dances of love in the form of a
beautiful young maiden. One of Kabuki's most famous and colorful dances, it will
feature the dancing skills of Living National Treasure Band˘ Tamasabur˘.

ONE PIECE: "ONE PIECE", a big hit comic of Japan, and Super Kabuki II by Ichikawa Ennosuke IV make a miraculous
collaboration! The largest-scale project ever begins! "ONE PIECE" has started
since the July 1997 issue of Weekly Sh˘nen Jump. As a book, the first volume was published in December 1997
and gained a national reputation soon. The series reach 77 volumes and the number of copies printed of
the series is more than the world record 320,000,000, so it was awarded Guinness World Record as the
most printed comic series by a writer in June 2015. Ichikawa Ennosuke IV is one of star Kabuki actors who will bear the next
generation. He challenges aggressively to classic kabuki and new kabuki with rich expression and unique
personality. He succeeded to the spirit of Super Kabuki which had been originated by his uncle
Ichikawa Ennosuke III (Ichikawa Enĺ˘ II) and performed "Sora o Kizamu Mono" [A Man who sculptures the Sky] as the first play
of Super Kabuki II in March and April 2014, which resulted in a great success. It is a marine adventure
roman by the hero Luffy (Ichikawa Ennosuke) who explores the ocean with his diverse crew of pirates,
named the Straw Hat Pirates, in search of the world ultimate treasure known as ONE PIECE
in order to become the next Pirate King. The Straw Hat Pirates broke up in the battle against the navy at Sabaody
Islands, the entrance to the new world, the next step to the big navigation in search of the world
ultimate treasure. Luffy became alone, hears of his brother Aceĺs execution and hurries to rescue him.
Luffy is able to break through the navyĺs barricade, but Ace has already been transferred to the navy
head quarter. Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates fight Summit Battle against the navy at its head quarter!